BibleInTonguesWEB
Psalms 86
The only psalm in this stretch ascribed to David — a sustained personal prayer where he calls himself 'poor and needy' and pleads for mercy 'all day long.' The names of address shift between LORD and Lord, but the petitions keep circling back to God's character. Watch verse 11, the hinge: amid the asking, David requests an undivided heart, a single petition that reorders all the others.
- 1
Hear, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
- 2
Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
- 3
Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
- 4
Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
- 5
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
- 6
Hear, LORD, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.
- 7
In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.
- 8
There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.
- 9
All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.
- 10
For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.
- 11
Teach me your way, LORD. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.
- 12
I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forever more.
- 13
For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
- 14
God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don’t hold regard for you before them.
- 15
But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
- 16
Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant.
- 17
Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.
Praying back what God has said of himself
Verse 15 quotes the ancient self-description — 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness and truth' — the formula first spoken at Sinai. When proud and violent men rise against him in verse 14, David answers not with his own merit but by reciting who God has already declared himself to be, then asks for a visible sign of goodness.
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